Dorothy (Kottmeier) Tschopp McGee (1929-2017)

MCGEE, TSCHOPP, KOTTMEIER, SMITH

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Dorothy Tschopp McGee passed away December 9, 2017 at Northcrest in Ames, Iowa. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 19 at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames. Burial will be at a later date.

Dorothy "Dottie" Leone Kottmeier was born March 16, 1929 to Richard Charles and Leona Marie (Rabus) Kottmeier in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She became a member of the Aristotelian Association of the National Honor Society. She was recognized as a Member of the Mozart Club in the State Junior Festival under the National Federation of Music Clubs; and by the National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society for High Schools. She attended Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, graduating with distinction in 1946. In 1946 and 1947, she commuted by train to take classes at the University of Iowa and worked as a payroll clerk of Penick and Ford Ltd. in Cedar Rapids.

As a high school senior, she met Herbert Frederick Tschopp, a navy veteran just returning from battles in the European and Asian Theaters. They were married September 4, 1948. He attended ISU and graduated with a master’s degree. Herb taught mathematics at the Ames Middle School, and was the principal of Eldora High School for one-year. Dottie was a secretary to extension agronomists, followed by secretary of the Memorial Lutheran Church and participated in various research projects.

In 1955, they moved back to Cedar Rapids, where Herb taught Math and was a counselor at Roosevelt High School. They adopted their son, Douglas Lee Tschopp in 1958 and their daughter, Jana Marie Tschopp in 1962.

The family returned to Ames in 1968 where Dottie attended ISU part-time, finishing her BS Degree with Honors in Social Work with emphasis on the elderly. Mayor Stewart wanted a Senior Citizen Center while she was still in her last year of college and after graduation, she became the Senior Citizen Center Director. Three years later she started working on her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She received that degree and her National Certification in 1977. Dottie lost Herb to cancer in 1987.

She returned to her other love, as Plans and Program Coordinator for Youth and Shelter Services. She retired from Youth and Shelter Services after 20 years of service in 1994. She worked for Mary Greely Homeward for seven years.

In 2003, Dottie married Thomas D. McGee. They met on the ACTORS board and continued with mutual activities and interests. During her lifetime in Ames she volunteered for many social activities and served on many important boards: ACTORS, MICA, FISH, Homeward, Beloit, and HIRTA.

Dottie is survived by her husband, Thomas D. McGee; her daughter, Jana Marie Tschopp; her grandson, Dana (wife, Shelise); and two great-grandsons, Gunnar and Magnus.
Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Leona Kottmeier; her husband, Herb, to cancer in 1987; her son, Douglas Tschopp; her sister, Marilyn Smith; and her brother, Theodore Kottmeier.

The family is grateful for the nurses and nurse’s assistants at Northcrest who gave love and care to Dottie.

Charitable contributions can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, The Northcrest Foundation, or Lutheran Children's Services.

Adams Funeral Home in Ames is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and photos may be shared at www.adamssoderstrum.com © 2017 Soderstrum Reimers Inc.

Memorial Service
Tuesday 19 Dec
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Collegiate Presbyterian Church
159 Sheldon Ave.
Ames, IA 50014

Cemetery Details
Location
Cedar Memorial Park
4200 First Avenue NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

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